Conveyer.



Patented Dec. 4, |1900.

.1. w. BAHNEY;

G0 N V EY E R.

(Application med occ. 21, 18991) (Nd Modal.)

5 Sheets-Sheet l.

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A fr0/mers /N VENTOH No. 663,25l. Patnted nec. 4, |900.

v u. w. BARNEY.

CONVEYER.

(Application led Oct. 21, 1.899.) (un Manel.) 5 sheets-sheets.

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IN VENTO/' W/ TNE SSE S o.. mommmo., wAsmNsTcN, D, c.

No. 663,25l. Pamnted nec. 4, |900.

J. w. BABNEY. y

(HJNVEYER.

(Application led Oct. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets- Sheet 5,

W/TNESSES( /NVENTOH l By zu# Wg ATTORNEYS TH: umm: PETERS en.. mofoLlTno.. wnnmmou. n. c.V

UNiTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. BARNEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

I CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming `part of Letters Patent No. 663,251, dated December 4, 1900.

Application filed October 21, 1899. Serial No 734,330. (No model.)

T0 all whom t ntayortcern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. ARNEY, of

Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a new and .Improved Conveyer, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a conveyer adapted particularly to the work of conveying brick from one point to another, notably from kilns to the railroad or other means by which theyy are to be transported, the invention compris-Y ing a haul device having carriers adapted to,` receive the bricks and running on trackways of a certain peculiar form.

The invention further comprises a novel `manner of arranging the conveyer-runs so` Figure lis a diagrammatic View illustrating the application of my invention to a brickyard comprising` a plurality of kilns. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the framing for supporting the trackways and also showing one of the guard-wheels which are placed at the corners of the trackway to permit the haul device or con veyer proper to turn around the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a reduced plan view of the same parts with a slightly-modied arrangement." Fig. 5 is a plan view of the driving-sheave. Fig. (l isa section thereof on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the carrier. Fig. S is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the manner of attaching the carrier proper to the housing of the track-` wheel. Fig. 9 is a different view of the same arrangement, partly in section. Fig. l0 is a section of the track-wheel and housing, showing the means for attaching the sections of the haul device. Fig. lOa isa plan view of the track-wheel and housing, showing the means for attaching the sections of the haul device. Fig. ll is a fragmentary View of a slightly different construction by which the carrier is supported on the wheel-housing. Fig. 1 2 is a perspective view looking toward the under side of the arrangement shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 13 is a perspective view looking toward the underside of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. let is a View showing the manner of mounting and adjusting the drive-wheel.

This invention is intended to be used particularly in brick-yards to provide a means for conductingI the bricks from the many kilns thereof and from the yard proper to the point from which the bricks are shipped. In Fig. l I have shown diagrammatically the arrangement of a conveyer for this purpose. Accordingly I arrange the conveyer with a main run extending from the point B to the point A, the main run passing overa drivingpulley C for imparting movement thereto. Extending through each kiln D are a numberof auxiliary runs E. These auxiliary runs are designed to be placed in connection with the main run by means of connecting-runs F, which are four in number and which pass two between the two rows of kilns and two, respectively, at the outsides thereof, the two inner connecting-runs having extensions F' extending transversely atopposite ends of the respective rows of kilns. By this arrangement the main run may be placed in connection with any one of the auxiliary runs,

`causing the conveyer to pass continuously through the kiln in which said auxiliary run is situated, or the conveyer may be arranged to pass entirely outside of the kilns, in the adjustment shown in Fig. l. By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the drawings show one of the middle connecting-runs F and the extensions F connected with the ends'of the main run A, so as to form a continuous conveyer extending outside of the kilns. The arrows in the view show the continuous line of travel taken by the conveyer when thus connected. All other parts of the conveyer are now idle, the work performed consisting in carrying the brick from one part of the yard to another. Should it be desired to conduct the bricks from one of the kilns, connections are made between the auxiliary run of the kiln desiredand the Vmain and connecting run, so that the carrier will move continuously through the kiln desired to be emptied. It will be seen that any number of kilns, with their corresponding auxiliary runs, may be provided. The essentiality of this arrangement is therefore the IOO slight play of the latter.

main run, which is of. a constant character, the auxiliary runs, which respectively pass through the kilns, and the connecting-runs, by which the auxiliary runs may be placed in connection with the main run or by which the conveyer may be made to pass outside of all the kilns, thus facilitating conducting the bricks from any one of the kilns or from any point in the yard and carrying them over the main run to the point from' whence they are to be shipped. This main run will be passed along the railroad (indicated in the diagrammatic view, Fig. 1) or to any other point where it is desired to convey the brick.

I will now describe the preferred manner of 'constructing the conveyer, which constitutes tracks and guide devices, and the conveyer proper, formed of a haul device in sections, between which are interposed the carriers, the carriers forming continuations of the haul-device sections,.the whole to constitute the conveyer proper.

The tracks for the conveyer, as illustrated best in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13, comprise rails 14, which are supported in elevated position by any suitable structure, as indicated at 15. These rails are in the form of plates disposed on edge and are held by brackets 16, depending from the structure 15. The conveyer proper being composed of a haul device and a brick-carrier, the haul device is formed of sections of chain 17, which are connected by hooks 18 with Wheel-housings 19, in which are carried the anged wheels 20 for running on the rails 14. The hooks 18 are formed with square Shanks fitted in square openings in the housings to prevent the hooks from turning. The positions of the housings 19 relative to the drive-sprocket, to be hereinafter described, may be regulated by slotted'plates or liners 18a, set on the shanks of the hooks 18, asshown. The wheel-housings 19 have downward extensions 21. These extensions 21 are provided with brackets 22,engaging under the lower edges of the rails 14 to prevent the derailment of the wheels. As shown best in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 9, thelower ends of the extensions 2l are formed with feet 23, in which are secured bolts 24 in such manner that the bolts may not turn therein. These bolts 24 have square lower portions received loosely in openings in the carriers, thus permitting For preventing excessive play of this sort I provide an angleplate 24, fastened rigidly to the foot 23 and hanging down near the carrier. The carriers are preferably formed of two longitudinal side slats or bars 25, joined at their upper extremities by a cross-bar 26, in which bar is received the bolt 24. The side bars or slats 25 are further joined b y intermediate cross bars or slats 27. These several slats or bars serve to space the side bars 25 apart and permit the insertion of the hands of the workman between the side bars or slats to place and displace the brick. The side bars 25 are bent so as to have diagonally-disposed upper extremities a, di-

agonally and oppositely disposed middle portions b,and upwardly-disposed end portions c,

' extending in the same direction that the exy tensions a extend, except that the inclination is not so great, and forming seats or rests for the brick, with an opening between them for theinsertion of the workinans hand, as will be fully explained hereinafter. The several -angles at which the parts a, b, and c extend are vsuch that the carrier, whether loaded or unloaded,ralways occupies approximately the position shown in Figs. 7 and 3, since the load Vwill be nearly equally distributed on the carrier and will not therefore disturb its equilibrium to any perceptible extent. In Fig. 3 the bricks are shown in place, and here it will be seen that they rest against the main portions bof the side slats 25 and on the lower end portions or seats c. Therefore the construction and arrangement of the carrier are s-uch that the center of gravity of the carrier, whether loaded or unloaded, lies in a vertical line which passing thro ugh the point of suspension, crosses the carrier,- so that the back of the carrier and the load resting against the same lie diagonally across said vertical line in which the center of gravity occurs. In devising this carrier l have endeavoredV to provide an arrangement suited to the ordinary method of handling bricks-that is to say, in which the work men handle the brick five at a time, passing a pile of five bricks from one point-to another. This number of bricks constitutes a fair load for a Workman when the bricks are conveyed by hand, and with such a carrier the workman raises five bricks from the pile in the kiln and places them upon the carrier, and then when the bricks are removed f they are taken out five at a time, thus unloading each carrier by a single movement. this arrangement it is possible to load and unload the carrier without interrupting the movement of the haul device. It will be seen that it is essential to the entirely effective operation of this arrangement that the bolts 24, by which the carriers are lsuspended from the housings, act to prevent the turning or slewing of the carriers. This is prevented by the arrangement of the bolts as described. I also mount the carriers so that they move with the open sides rearward, which arrangement serves to give the carriers an impulse 'when bricks are placed therein, the bricks being moved forwardly from the rear of the carrers into the same against the middle portions b of the side slats thereof. The arrangement referred to further serves to facilitate the removal of the bricks, for all that is necessary is for the work man simply to grasp the bricks at the top and bottom of the pile and lift them slightly, simultaneously with which operation the carriage will move away from the bricks, thus lea-ving them in the hands of the workman. Fig. 11 shows a slightly dilerent means for holding the carriers on the extensions 21 of the housings 19, which means consist in two eyebolts 28, joined with each other, as

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shown, and respectively joined With the foot 23 of the extension 21 and the cross bar or slat 26 of the carrier. This connection between the bolts 2S permits a very slight play of the lower bolt; but this movement is not sufficient to permit more than a very slight turning or slewing of the carrier itself.

The rails 14 are set up on the supporting structures 15 in a manner corresponding with the arrangement of the main runs of the conveyer, as shown diagram matically in Fig. 1 -k that is to say, the main run of the conveyer,

the auxiliary runs, and the connecting-runs are all supported on rails le whether the con necting and auxiliary runs are joined to the main runs or not, excepting that when a kiln is to be used for burning brick the auxiliar)-- run track thereof is taken from the kiln to prevent its destruction. The several runs of the conveyer, as indicated in Fig. 1, are coupled with each other, when desired, by joining the sections of chain 17 with the hooks 18 ot' the housings 19, and it will be seen that the chainesections may be readily disconnected from the hooks 13 of one housing and connected With the hooks of the other, thus effecting the connections of the several runs. In Fig. 1 the runs that are connected and indicated by the arrows are supposed to be moving. All the other runs in this view are supposed to be idle and disconnected. The rails which bear these connected runs are all joined to form a continuous track. The .other rails are disconnected. When one of the runs of the conveyer is not in use, it may be made to occupy a small space by moving the housings 19 up against each other and permitting the chains to hang loose between them. l will 110W describe the manner in Which the rails are joined together, so that the several different runs of the conveyer system may be placed on a continuous track and permitted to move continuously.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, let it be assumed, for example, that the ieft-hand portion ot' the rails 14, (indicated in these vieWs,) is coextensive with the right-hand extension F ot' one ot the middle connecting-runs F and that the right-hand portion of said rails is coextensive With the main run at said point. These two sections of the rails are joined together by short removable rail-sections 1M. (See Fig. t.) When the conveyer is not connected to move over these rails, such rails are disconnected, the rail-section 14a being displaced. Should it be desired to cause the connected runs of the carrier to turn around any angle of the track, a curved rail-section 14u should be placed in position in the manner shown best in Fig. 4. Should it be desired to pass the connected conveyer-runs straight ou from one rail-section 14 to another, a straight rail-section 14a should be placed as indicated by the dottedlines in Fig. L1. It will thus be seen that by this means any oi' the various connections desired may be made.

around this turn l provide a broad-faced guard-Wheel 29, which is mounted on a vertical axis and the periphery of Which is concentric with the curve of the curved tracksection 14a. The guaid\vheel 29 projects above the track 14, as shown, so that the housings 19 may bear against the guardwheels. The wheel-housings 19 engage this wheel 29 and bear against the same, whereby the housings are prevented from being pulled oft of the track and the haul device is caused to run true around the curve. In cases Where the turn'of the track is in such direction as to cause the extensions 21 of the housings 19 to pass on the outside ol' the rails the construction shown in Figs. e and 13 is employedthat is, in which the supporting structure over the railat the curve is dispensed with and the rail is supported at the curve by means of arms 30,attached to the post or other structure on which the Wheel 29 is supported, the arms passing Jfrom below the Wheel. This supports the rails in an effective manner and causes the wheel-housings to run true against the periphery of the wheel 29 in the manner explained. In cases Where the turn in the track is in such direction as to cause the extensions 21 of the housings to move inside of the rails the construction shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 12 is employed-that is, in which the supporting structure is carried at an angle over the curve and the rails supported by the brackets 16 in the same manner as at intermediate points of the track.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the driving-wheel C for the main run of the conveyer. This Wheel comprises a rim 3l, held to a hub 32 by means of spokes 33. Segmental members 34 are mounted on the rim 31 and are movable radially thereon, the segments being guided by bolts 35, which work in slots 36, formed in the segments, the segments being held by the rim 31 of the wheel. Screws 37 are provided for adjusting the segments 3ft, the screws being held in lugs 38, projecting up from the rim 3l. The segmental mem bers 31 are provided with grooves 39 in their outer edges, which grooves serve to carry the chains 17, and the contiguous ends of the segmental members 34 are spaced apart, as indicated in Fig. 5, and formed with notches or recesses 40, matching with each other to form recesses in the periphery of the driving-sprocket, such recesses serving to receive the housings 19 oi' the wheels 20. By these means the conveyer is driven, and by adjusting the segmental members 3i the diameter of the driving-wheel may be regulated to compensate for variations in the tension of the hauldevices due to wear and the like. It may be observed that the peripheral extent of each segmental member 3i is equal to the length of the chain-sections 17 of the haul devices. The drive-wheel C is mounted so that it may be adjusted bodily to regulate the tension oi' the haul devices While at rest For the purpose of guiding the haul device or during the actual movement of the con- IOO IIO

veyer. Fig. 14 shows this arrangement, in which the shaft 42 of the Wheel C is mounted vertically in a frame 43 and carries a mitergear 44, driven by a similar gear 45, splined on the drive-shaft 46 and held in place by the gear 44 on one side and a box 55 on the other. The drive-shaft 46 is mounted to turn and to slide in the frame 43 and carries a band-pulley 47, by which it is driven. The frame 43 is mounted to slide on two pairs of rods 48, fastened to a supporting structure 50, as shown. rlhe shaft 46 is held to turn in a box 49, fastened to this structure 50, and is prevented fromlsliding by collars 56, so that the frame 43 may be adjusted without disturbing the mesh of gears 44 and 45. The adjustment of the frame 43 is effected by a screw 5l, mounted to turn on the frame and working in a nut 52, fast to the support 50. The section of the track 14 at the Wheel C is supported on the frame 43 to move therewith by means of a bracket 53, and such tracksection has sliding joints 54 with the main section of the track to permit the necessary adjustment. By Working the screw 5l the wheel C may be adjusted in the manner desired.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination with a support, of a frame adjustable thereon, a drive pulley or sheave carried by the frame, and a track-section also carried by the frame and adjustable therewith.

2. A conveyer system, in which means are provided for forming a main run and a plurality of auxiliary runs with connecting-runs for-bringing either one of the auxiliary runs into and uniting it' with the main run, for forming a continuous conveyer, said means consisting of a haul device, and carriers in connection with the haul device to form a conveyer, the said conveyer being composed of a'series of sections having means for -detachably connecting them one to another, said sections forming the main run of the conveyer, the plurality of auxiliary runs thereof and the connecting-runs for connecting the auxiliary runs with each other and with the main run, each auxiliary run thus formed being of a length to form in connection with the main run and sundry of the connecting-runs, a continuous conveyer, whereby to cut out and bring into the main run any of the auxiliary runs.

3. A conveyer system, in which means are provided for forming a main run and a plurality of auxiliary runs with connecting-runs for bringing either one of the auxiliary runs into and uniting it with the main run for forming a continuous conveyer, said means consisting of a haul device, and carriers in connection with the haul device fto form a conveyer, the said conveyer being composed of a series of sections having means for detachably connecting them one to another, said porting the conveyer-sections therein independently of the sections of the other runs.

4. A conveyer, in which means are provided for forming a main run anda plurality of auxiliary runs with connecting-runs for bring ing either one of the auxiliary runs into and uniting it with the main run,for forming a continuous conveyer, said means consisting of a haul device, and carriers in connection with the haul device to form a conveyer, the said conveyer being composed of a series of sections having'means for detachably connecting them one to another, said sections forming the main run of the conveyer, the plurality of auxiliary runs thereof and the connecting-runs for connecting the auxiliary runs with each other and with the main run, each auxiliary run thus` formed being of a length to form in connection with the main run and sundry of theconnecting-runs, a continuous conveyer, whereby to cut out and bring into the main run any of the auxiliary runs, eachrun having means for supporting the conveyer-sections therein independently of the 'sections of the other runs, said means including .track-sections on which the several runs of the conveyer are carried, such tracks being laid in conformity with the runs and having removable rail-sections serving to conneet the track-sections to form a continuous track for the connected conveyer-runs.

5. A conveyer system, in which means are provided for forming a main run and a plurality of auxiliary runs with connecting-runs for bringing-either one of the auxiliary runs into and uniting it with the main run, for forming a continuous conveyer, said means consisting of a haul device, and carriers in connection with the haul device to form a conveyer, the said conveyer being composed of a series of sections having means for detachably connecting them one to another, said sections forming the main run of the conveyer, the plurality of auxiliary runs thereof and the connecting-runs for connecting the auxiliary runs with each other and with the main run, each auxiliary run thus formed being of a length to form in connection with the main run and sundry of the connecting-runs, a continuous conveyer, whereby to cut out and bring into the main run any of the auxiliary runs, the haul device having a driving device acting on the main run of the continuous conveyer irrespective of the particular auxiliary run in action.

6. The combination of a haul device composed of separate sections, and carriers inter- IOO IIO

posed between and uniting the adjacent sections, the connections between the carriers and the sections ot' the haul device being adjustable and affording a means for taking up slack in the haul-device sections.

7. In a conveyer system, a haul device and carriers, the haul device being composed of separate sections united by carriers which are interposed between adjacent sections of the haul device, in combination with the drive sprocket having radially adjustable sections spaced from each other at the side edges interrupting the continuity of the peripheral surface, the haul-device sections corresponding to and engaging with the sections of the drive-sprocket from one recess to t-he next, and the carriers projecting into the recesses of the drive-sprocket and eecting interlocking engagement therewith.

The combination of a track, a haul device, carriers in connection with the haul device, a sprocket having recesses extending inward from its periphery, said carriers comprising a wheel running on the track, a housing for the wheel, and a depending support or seat for the material to be carried, the housings of the carriers fitting the recesses of the sprocket, and the sprocket having the recessesformed by radially-adjustable members.

9. The combination ofthe haul device, carriers in connection with the haul device, and a sprocket having independently-adjustable segmental members projecting from the rim thereof beyond the periphery, the said segmental members being spaced apart and. having recesses in their contiguous ends to receive portions ot' the carriers.

l0. In a conveyer, the combination with a support, of a wheel around which the conveyer passes, the wheel being adjustably mounted ou the support, and a track-section juxtaposed to the wheel to carry the conveyer, the track-section being mounted to be adjusted in unison with the wheel.

1l. The combination of a wheel adapted to be engaged by a conveyer, a track-section adapted to carry the con veyer, and means for mounting the wheel and track-section to be adj usted simultaneously, whereby to regulate the tension of the conveyer.

l2. The combination with a support, of rods mounted rigidly thereon, a frame mounted to slide on the rods, means for imparting movement to the frame, a wheel mounted on the frame and having a conveyer engaged therewith, and a track-section also mounted on the frame and juxtaposed to the wheel to carry the conveyer.

13. In a conveyer, asuspended carrier, comprising a back portion inclined to the vertical, and two end portions attached to the back portion at the same side, the lower of said end portions projecting laterally and upwardly to form a seat or rest, and the upper of said end portions projecting laterally into engagement with the support at the point of suspension, the said inclined back portion of the carrier passing diagonally across the vertical line in which occur the point of suspension and the center of gravity of the carrier, whereby the carrier maintains approximately the same position whether loaded with a load of predetermined size and form, or empty.

14. In a conveyer, the combination with a track, of a haul device mounted to move vertically, and a series of suspended carriers hung from the haul device, the carriers being maintained in a position to face opposite the direction of travel and each comprisinga back portion inclined to the vertical, and two end portions attached to the back portion at the same side, the lower of said portions projecting laterally and upwardly to form a seat orA rest, and the upper of said end portions projecting laterally into engagement with the haul device at the point of suspension, the inclined back of the carrier passing diagonally across the vertical line in which occur the point of suspension and the center ot' gravity of the carrier, whereby the carrier maintains approximately the same position whether loaded with a load of predetermined size and form, or empty, and whereby the load may be grasped from beneath and removed Without arresting the movement of the carrier.

Al5. In a conveyer, a carrier comprising a wheel, a housing wherein the wheel is mounted, connections attached to the housing to haul the carrier, and a seat or support for the material to be conveyed, the seat or support being engaged to and hung from a part of the housing. j,

16. In a conveyer, the combination of a track, carriers comprising wheels, housings in which they are mounted, and seats or supports hung from the housings, a haul device composed of a series of separate sections attached to the housings and united thereby, means for driving the haul device and a smooth-faced guard-wheel arranged at a turn in the track, in position to be engaged by the housings as they run around said turn, Whereby to prevent the displacement of the wheels of the carriers.

17. In a conveyer, the combination with a track, of carriers comprising wheeled housings mounted to run thereon, a haul device composed of a series of separate sections connected with the housings and united thereby, a sprocket having recesses extending inward from its periphery, the said recesses serving to receive the housings,whereby the Wheel imparts movement to the carriers, and a smoothfaced guard-wheel arranged at a turn in the track to be engaged by the housings and prevent the displacement of the wheels of the carriers.

JAMES W. BARNEY.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. BALIs, GEORGE L. NELLIs.

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